Dating Tips For Single Dads Looking For Romance
Becoming a single dad is a full-time job, but it doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to introduce some romance into your life. It’s okay for you to start dating again, but you need to do so in a classy way. Your child is an integral part of your life, but you can still date as well as keep your child’s interests at heart. To help you ease back into the dating game, we have compiled a list of useful dating tips for single dads below to give you a head start.
It is entirely up to you to decide when you’re ready to start dating again; after all, you’re the adult in this situation. Widowers may feel differently than a newly divorced man. Regardless of how your child feels, you need to consider your own feelings in regards to this matter. If you don’t feel the need to incessantly bring up your former wife, then it’s safe to say that you’re ready to date again.
Don’t hide the fact that you’re ready to date again from your child. It is important to let children know when a parent is ready to enter the dating game once again. During your discussion, make sure that you’re tactful and consider your child’s feelings. He or she may not be entirely supportive at first, but it’s a good idea to let your child know that he or she will always come first in your life.
When you do meet a woman that you’re interested in, make sure that she knows about your child. Your child is going to be your number one priority and no one you date should force you to choose. Some men prefer to date a woman that already has children as they already know how to handle the trials of parenthood. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should overlook dating someone that has no experience with kids because they can still prove to be a loving companion.
Kids don’t generally seem to get interested when their dads start dating again unless it gets serious. When you’re still just dating around, your child will probably not want to know too much about the woman you’re dating other than her name or what she looks like. If you feel that you want your child to meet someone you’re serious about, make sure to ask him or her first. Your child may not like the idea, in which case you should respect his or her wishes (you can talk about the seriousness of you relationship later on).
There is nothing wrong with dating more than one woman, but it is important you don’t uproot your child’s life. If you introduce your child to too many women he or she ends up liking, but you have a falling out, your child will eventually develop a negative attitude towards dating.
Your child should feel that he or she is important to you. When going out on a date, be mindful of how much time you spend away from your child. You shouldn’t end up sacrificing an activity together to go on a date instead. Your child will quickly come to perceive dating as the enemy and become resentful towards you. No child should have to feel like they are competing for their father’s affection.
Lastly, when you find a woman you feel serious about, never pressure your child into liking her. Set up a brief meeting in a location that doesn’t feel intimidating to a child, like your own home. Make sure the meeting is brief and never force you child into feeling a certain emotion…